Nwicker60
15-Jun-11, 10:51
Caithness Courier review: June 15, 2011
THE paper claims a genuine exclusive with the front page story of a grave that was vandalised at Wick cemetery. David and Cathryn Fairweather were shocked to find that cards were removed from a family wreath on the grave of their son, Michael Fairweather, who died suddenly at his home in Castlegreen Road, Thurso on May 31. The couple, who live at South Head, Wick, visited his grave every day after the funeral and were horrified when they arrived at the cemetery, on Saturday. A wreath with the word “Dad” on it had been removed, even though it had been secured to the ground, and was found 150 to 200 yards away. Two cards had been pulled out and thrown on to other wreaths.
Also on page one, is the dramatic resignation of Laurel Bush from the Royal Burgh of Wick Community Council. In an-email circulated to members, he said he had decided to resign as he did not want any further association with it. His resignation was accepted by chairwoman, Coreen Campbell, who said she had noted his comments which branded the council as “a corruption of democracy." Mr Bush has been at loggerheads with councillors since he joined the council last year continually asking questions, criticising the way it was run and calling for greater transparency.
Another story deals with the closure of the Wick Haldanes store and the claim that the staff of 18 had not been paid for two weeks. The firm was, subsequently reported, elsewhere, as saying the employees would be paid within a weeks.
A Caithness artist is to receive an MBE for his tireless efforts to promote the arts in the county. William (Willie) Wilson has established Lyth Arts Centre as a major cultural hub for local and visiting artists. He has been involved in running the centre since it opened in 1977, promoting a programme of workshops, exhibitions, concerts and drama. He won an award in the 2008 Caithness community awards for outstanding support to the arts scene in the Far North.
There’s a round-up of Caithness Music Festival winners with photos, on page two; the lead story on page three reports that a local trade union representative claimed that enterprise officials in Caithness are “not pulling their weight” when it comes to renewable energy. John Crowden who criticised agency staff earlier this year, said there was a “can-do attitude” with enterprise employees in Orkney, that seemed to be lacking in Caithness. Mr Crowden, speaking at Wednesday’s meeting of the Thurso and Wick Trade Union Council stated: “It seems strange that Highlands and Islands Enterprise can do so much on the other side of the Pentland Firth but not so much here.” Replying, Eann Sinclair, the programme manager for the Caithness and Sutherland Regeneration Partnership, said the area had to ensure the infrastructure needed by the developers was available here. But he felt that progress was being made and “things are coming together”. Mr Sinclair who attended the trade council meeting, told members that £50 million had been earmarked for investment in the Caithness economy.
THE paper reports that the millionaires cruise liner The World is on its way to Wick for a two-day visit. It was organised by retail magnate Mike Clare, who owns Ackergill Tower which is hosting a reception for the passengers.
THE future of Caithness Rural Transport hangs in the balance as it has “borne the brunt” of a slash in local authority funding. Service users were told at its annual review held in Caithness Horizons, Thurso, that Highland Council had cut the group’s budget by 35 per cent this year. Caithness Voluntary Group’s Niall Smith said this cut had put the rural transport group, which provides a taxi service for the elderly and infirm, in a precarious position.
There was a real buzz in Brough as the community gathered to celebrate the completion of three new projects. On Saturday, June 4, a new woodland walk, named Heathsfield, was opened by Betty Heath; the £46,000 upgrade of the local harbour was officially marked, and there was a preview of the new bird hide at St John’s Pool. Betty and Bernard Heath created the woodland in the 1990s by planting over 1400 mixed broad-leaf and coniferous trees in a three-acre field and creating a wildlife pond. In 2008, with many of the trees by now reaching over 20 feet high, Bernard and Betty donated the woodland to the care of Dunnet Forestry Trust.
YOUNG Huntly shearer Charles McCombie was the star turn of the day at the Caithness shears event held at Quoybrae in Watten. Not only did he take the honours in the W & M Horner junior competition by almost four points, he qualified for the intermediate final and, despite shearing up a class against more experienced adversaries, he triumphed to win the Sandy Douglas Trophy.
FOUR Thurso swimmers amassed of a total of 20 personal best times when they competed as part of the Highland Swim Team at the North District Open Championships, in Aberdeen recently. The two-day event, staged at Westhill, produced some outstanding performances by many of the strongest swimmers in the North of Scotland.
FANS will be relieved to learn that Wick Academy’s influential midfielder, Sam Mackay has signed a new two-and-a-half contract withthe club. The 22-year-old put pen to paper last week.
THE paper claims a genuine exclusive with the front page story of a grave that was vandalised at Wick cemetery. David and Cathryn Fairweather were shocked to find that cards were removed from a family wreath on the grave of their son, Michael Fairweather, who died suddenly at his home in Castlegreen Road, Thurso on May 31. The couple, who live at South Head, Wick, visited his grave every day after the funeral and were horrified when they arrived at the cemetery, on Saturday. A wreath with the word “Dad” on it had been removed, even though it had been secured to the ground, and was found 150 to 200 yards away. Two cards had been pulled out and thrown on to other wreaths.
Also on page one, is the dramatic resignation of Laurel Bush from the Royal Burgh of Wick Community Council. In an-email circulated to members, he said he had decided to resign as he did not want any further association with it. His resignation was accepted by chairwoman, Coreen Campbell, who said she had noted his comments which branded the council as “a corruption of democracy." Mr Bush has been at loggerheads with councillors since he joined the council last year continually asking questions, criticising the way it was run and calling for greater transparency.
Another story deals with the closure of the Wick Haldanes store and the claim that the staff of 18 had not been paid for two weeks. The firm was, subsequently reported, elsewhere, as saying the employees would be paid within a weeks.
A Caithness artist is to receive an MBE for his tireless efforts to promote the arts in the county. William (Willie) Wilson has established Lyth Arts Centre as a major cultural hub for local and visiting artists. He has been involved in running the centre since it opened in 1977, promoting a programme of workshops, exhibitions, concerts and drama. He won an award in the 2008 Caithness community awards for outstanding support to the arts scene in the Far North.
There’s a round-up of Caithness Music Festival winners with photos, on page two; the lead story on page three reports that a local trade union representative claimed that enterprise officials in Caithness are “not pulling their weight” when it comes to renewable energy. John Crowden who criticised agency staff earlier this year, said there was a “can-do attitude” with enterprise employees in Orkney, that seemed to be lacking in Caithness. Mr Crowden, speaking at Wednesday’s meeting of the Thurso and Wick Trade Union Council stated: “It seems strange that Highlands and Islands Enterprise can do so much on the other side of the Pentland Firth but not so much here.” Replying, Eann Sinclair, the programme manager for the Caithness and Sutherland Regeneration Partnership, said the area had to ensure the infrastructure needed by the developers was available here. But he felt that progress was being made and “things are coming together”. Mr Sinclair who attended the trade council meeting, told members that £50 million had been earmarked for investment in the Caithness economy.
THE paper reports that the millionaires cruise liner The World is on its way to Wick for a two-day visit. It was organised by retail magnate Mike Clare, who owns Ackergill Tower which is hosting a reception for the passengers.
THE future of Caithness Rural Transport hangs in the balance as it has “borne the brunt” of a slash in local authority funding. Service users were told at its annual review held in Caithness Horizons, Thurso, that Highland Council had cut the group’s budget by 35 per cent this year. Caithness Voluntary Group’s Niall Smith said this cut had put the rural transport group, which provides a taxi service for the elderly and infirm, in a precarious position.
There was a real buzz in Brough as the community gathered to celebrate the completion of three new projects. On Saturday, June 4, a new woodland walk, named Heathsfield, was opened by Betty Heath; the £46,000 upgrade of the local harbour was officially marked, and there was a preview of the new bird hide at St John’s Pool. Betty and Bernard Heath created the woodland in the 1990s by planting over 1400 mixed broad-leaf and coniferous trees in a three-acre field and creating a wildlife pond. In 2008, with many of the trees by now reaching over 20 feet high, Bernard and Betty donated the woodland to the care of Dunnet Forestry Trust.
YOUNG Huntly shearer Charles McCombie was the star turn of the day at the Caithness shears event held at Quoybrae in Watten. Not only did he take the honours in the W & M Horner junior competition by almost four points, he qualified for the intermediate final and, despite shearing up a class against more experienced adversaries, he triumphed to win the Sandy Douglas Trophy.
FOUR Thurso swimmers amassed of a total of 20 personal best times when they competed as part of the Highland Swim Team at the North District Open Championships, in Aberdeen recently. The two-day event, staged at Westhill, produced some outstanding performances by many of the strongest swimmers in the North of Scotland.
FANS will be relieved to learn that Wick Academy’s influential midfielder, Sam Mackay has signed a new two-and-a-half contract withthe club. The 22-year-old put pen to paper last week.